I am no BARRE-bie

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I am a regular size woman who found her fitness groove at the ballet barre.

Before walking into my first class, I had the following thought process that perhaps you too can identify with:

  • I am too FAT to take this class.
  • I am going to suck at this because I don’t have the right body shape: long, lean, ballerina body.
  • When I was six years old, I quit ballet. Ooops I missed out on the training
  • Of course I need to lose weight before I go to my first barre class

Thank goodness, I decided to ignore the noise and just go to a barre class because my fitness life has never been the same.

mebarre

What the heck is Barre method?

It’s a mixed of ballet barre with yoga, pilates and bodyweight resistance training. The focus is on small isometric movements that challenge muscles you never thought they existed along with building your core stability and balance.

Typically, each class is broken down into 4 to 5 series that targets muscle groups such as: core, arms, thighs, and glutes/legs. Each series last about 5 to 10 minutes with a 1 to 2 minute in between stretching. Classes are about 60 minutes long. The price range varies from $20 -$40 per class (depending on your location and studio).

Pic1Barre

What attracted me to Barre Classes?

In all honesty, I wanted to try out that would provide me great results within a short period of time.

What kept me coming back was the warmth and attention from the instructors. Without failed, the instructors introduced themselves, asked questions and paid close attention to my form. They provided the necessary modifications and the positive reinforcement to keep going.

Yes in most classes, I am the biggest girl. However in this setting, we are all equal in the level of torture, I mean, work that we do.

Some series, I can be in level 3 while in others I still need to a take a break in between each exercises. Everyone at some point has experienced the leg shakes that reminds you the work is getting done.

Whether is your first or 100th class, it happens no matter your size. Again we are all equal.

At the barre, I shredded the years of body shaming.

The belief that I needed to wait to lose all of the weight in order to feel good about myself. I found strength, courage and confidence. I have tapped my inner child while walking with a better posture.

My arms, thighs and glutes shrank and muscle definition emerged within a few sessions. I discovered strength in my core that I didn’t think it would be possible.

For today, I challenge you to release the idea that you have to be a certain way to exercise.

That yes you can be a regular size women taking a barre class!

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Comments

  1. You go girl! I too am a regular sized woman. You can check out my blog to see that it’s not a lie. I run 5K’s but not fast so l’m told I’m not a real runner. You should have seen the looks when I told people that I plan to train for a half marathon next year. Good for you that you didn’t listen to anyone but yourself!

  3. i’ve been to jess and jolene’s class up in boston. Every size woman as there and we all did our best with great encouragement! it’s a wonderful workout and even more wonderful environment

  4. I’m intimidated by the thought of barre close, mostly because the word “isometric” strikes fear into my heart — and has my muscles shaking at the mere thought of it! You are so right that we get ideas of what someone who does x “should” look like and that keeps us from trying new things. Thanks for setting an example that those thoughts don’t have to hold us back.

  5. Physical insecurities probably led to why I’ve always worked out at home alone, but at this point it’s more of a time saver and escape for me. I like to work out in the early morning hours by just the light of the tv video playing.

    I’ve never tried barre, by the way. That sounds intense!

  7. I keep seeing groupons and similar type deals for Barre classes and I SO want to buy one, it looks so fun…maybe I will next time.

  8. I love the actual workout from a barre class, but didn’t enjoy the one I went too. Around here, space is precious, so they crammed a ton of us in a very small space. I’d love to try one someday where I felt I could lift my leg without kicking someone LOL.

  9. That’s fantastic! We should never put off doing something we really want to do because of what others may think. This barre class does sound like an awesome workout.

  14. Loved the reminder that size doesn’t matter!!! I haven’t tried an actual Barre class (just a DVD) and it is hard!! I would probably struggle in the class.

  15. Yes and yes! We can do anything it is we want, no matter your shape, size, whatever! 🙂

    I’ve been to Barre Class before. I enjoyed it. It was tough that’s for sure!

  16. Thanks for sharing this!
    I’ve only attended a couple of barre classes, but I was amazed at the diversity of body shapes and fitness levels. (And embarrassed to find the workout as challenging as I did, given that I teach group fit and work as a personal trainer).
    Kudos to you for not giving in to society’s idea of what a ‘barre athlete’ looks like!

  17. Good for you for overcoming your fears. I think it really applies to all classes and even going to the gym…will I fit in, will I be bigger than everyone..when in reality, everyone is just worrying about their own selves.

  21. Ballet was something my mother forced on me for 7 awful years. The idea of going back to it and having fun — well, i’m going to have to chew on that a while.

  23. I’d love to do a barre class and I admit your concerns are many of my own. However I also lack childcare – do you have a DVD you could suggest to try Barre?

  27. Barre Class. That kinda sounds like fun. I’m not much of a class person but I might have to see if it’s offered in my area.

  28. as a former dancer, I think I would really enjoy this method of getting back in shape after baby arrives.

  29. I haven’t done a BARRE class but did do ballet for adult beginners a few times, many years ago. Loved the workouts.

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  33. I’ve heard of these classes but didn’t really know that much about them till now! Now I’ll have to see if there are some in my area to check out.

  34. I’ve always shied away from ballet and yoga because I’m particularly inflexible. Even as a child of 4 years old I remember that I was the only kid in my ballet class who couldn’t touch her toes. Don’t get me wrong, I love them and I desperately need the workouts and muscle toning these classes would provide, there is just a magnification of the torture these exercises provide me with. Nevertheless, I plan on seeing if they have something like this in my area because it sounds fun.

  35. I’m so glad you decided to go. It sounds like so much fun. I think I would enjoy it. I’ve been putting off yoga b/c I am not as limber as I used to be. I need to silence my negative voice too.

  36. This Barre class is the first time I’ve ever heard of it. Sounds so fun and interesting, I think I’ll try it out if we have one in our local area. I total understand you on how you feel when you first enter your classroom and everyone’s regulars and completely fit. I am usually the largest in my class, but I learned to get comfortable and at least your there trying. Plus it’s awesome when you become one of the usual, and your so used to the routine that you’re in the front of the class and watch people who are smaller than you who can’t keep up or do some of the difficult tricks. I believe it’s not about the size, as long as you try and make the effort that’s all that matters.

  37. I have never heard about this Barre method before, but thanks to your post. It is so nice to know that this method is a mixture of ballet with yoga, pilates and bodyweight resistance training. I think if we really want to lose weight, be fit and healthy then we need to try this.

  38. WHAT century is this again? Women “afraid” to taie a class filled with other women? So sad.

  39. It’s wonderful to hear such inspirational stories about barre fitness. Thank for for sharing. We welcome all people at our studio including a large range of ages & sizes. We’re so glad to hear you are enjoying barre classes & getting so much out of them.

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